Visual arts like never before experienced! Master Teaching Artist, Peggy Gomez-Hixson, will lead a journey that will result in constructing cool and keepsake art pieces from recycled materials. Working both independently and as a team, kids will create repurposed, one-of-a-kind furniture/other pieces that can be used to adorn the lobbies of the theater, and to donate to other public/private establishments in and around Hartford county and surrounding areas.  

Available during Swing into Spring and Sailing through Summer (Week 1& 2). 

This workshop will teach each student participant to create personally crafted sewing projects including pajama pants! Teaching Artists, Paula Santos and Kathy Zanotti will lead this skill-building, and super-fun, sewing workshop that will include learning varied hand-sewing techniques, and machine sewing instruction. No previous sewing experience is necessary to participate, and everyone will walk away with some pretty cool finished products!

Available during Swing into Spring and Sailing through Summer (Weeks 1-3).

Soulful, vibrant, and energetic, Teaching Artist and Yogi Master, Ysanne Marshall, will show her workshop participants how to find and maintain their inner peace. This hands-on, fully immersive workshop will teach a series of yoga postures, breathing practices, and mindfulness exercises, that can help with balance, behavior, focus, strength, confidence, and concentration, not to mention, plain old relaxation! Ysanne is also an accomplished vocalist who infuses some singing in with her instruction! Her class is designed for all ages, body types, experienced or “non-experienced” participants are all welcome to partake. (Be sure to comfortably in stretchy clothing).  

Available during Swing into Spring. 

Using semiprecious beads and other carefully procured materials from all over the world, kids will delight in not only designing their own jewelry pieces, but they will learn valuable and inspired artistic techniques in creating their own “wearable artwork.”  Under the guided direction of “Ms. Jackie”, everyone will leave boasting their custom-designed wears including bracelets and necklaces to either enjoy for themselves, or to gift to someone special!  

Available during Swing into Spring and Sailing through Summer (Week 1 & 3). 

Highly acclaimed Master Teaching Artist, Ed Johnetta Miller, “Ms. Ed,” will treat her students to learning the secret of making jaw-dropping fabric collages from their own personal/family artifacts (old t-shirts, blankets, etc.). Everyone will leave with a project or two that they’ll be especially proud of! Kids will also have the opportunity to create incredible, one-of-a-kind notecards using creative textile designs and quilting techniques.  

There’s nothing more fun, expressive, and confidence-building than learning to design and create puppets! Master Teaching Artist Dan Butterworth is an internationally recognized marionette creator and artist who has performed and taught as far away as The North Pole. Mr. Dan He and will teach kids the methods and processes of producing both marionette and shadow puppets. Everyone will have the opportunity to help create choreographed “pipe and drape” and shadow box theater shows using their newly acquired puppet masterpieces!  

Available during Swing into Spring and Sailing through Summer (Week 1 and 3). 

Everyone will become a novice painter this Spring in this super-fun painting workshop! Students will have the best time in “paint-a-long” session that will include easy to follow instructions and hands on oversight as they create individual masterpieces! As a group, everyone will be able to contribute to the massive, mobile mural that will ornament a select wall area of The Bushnell, or possibly be gifted to a lucky business in town! (No previous painting experience is required).  

Available during Sailing through Summer (Week 2 & 3). 

With a focus on learning cooking techniques and making nutritional food choices, this workshop will deliver the perfect recipe for acquiring introductory culinary and essential life skills. Students will thoroughly enjoy learning to create delicious goodies to savor themselves, and to share with their families at the end of week during "Share and Showcase!" 

Available during Swing into Spring and Sailing through Summer (Week 3). 
 

Highly acclaimed Master Teaching Artist, Ed Johnetta Miller, “Ms. Ed,” will treat her students to learning the secret of making jaw-dropping fabric collages from their own personal/family artifacts (old t-shirts, blankets, etc.). Everyone will leave with a project or two that they’ll be especially proud of! Kids will also have the opportunity to create incredible, one-of-a-kind notecards using creative textile designs and quilting techniques.  

Available during Swing into Spring and Sailing through Summer (Week 1). 
 

Renowned Latin-Jazz musician, Ray Gonzalez, will lead his workshop participants in a fully interactive, hands-on, drumming workshop that will teach everyone to play quite impressively after just a couple of hours! Each participant will be provided with their own drum, and they’ll also learn super cool facts about how this incredible instrument made its way to the U.S. from his native land.  

Available during Sailing through Summer (Week 1 & 3). 

Exceptionally talented animator, painter, cartoonist and publisher, Tyrone Motley, will lead The  

Bushnell’s Artivity kids on an unforgettable expedition of graphic arts, comics, and animation this Summer! Tryone will provide easy-to-follow, hands-on instruction as kids will learn to create their own graphic novels … developing characters and learning comic sequencing, all while enhancing their storytelling and visual narrative abilities. Introductory exposure to animation will teach students how to give life to their stories, as they come to understand the scientific principles behind the art form. No experience required for this workshop – all are welcome!  

Available during Sailing through Summer (Week 1 & 2).